England’s Marlie Packer will miss the WXV Global Series matches against Canada and the USA in North America later this month. The back-rower, who has made 119 appearances for her country, is staying at home with partner Rosie Galligan, who is due to give birth.
Packer is the most-capped active player in the England squad. She has won two World Cups.
England play Canada in Toronto on October 17 and in Ottawa on October 24. The final match of the series comes in New Jersey on October 30, when England face the USA.
The Absences
Three other players are ruled out through injury. Delaney Burns, Haidee Head and Sophie McQueen will not travel with the squad.
Packer’s experience runs deep, and her absence leaves the squad facing a difficult stretch of fixtures.
“Our last two Tests against Canada and New Zealand have been humdingers that could have gone either way.”
Those were the words of John Mitchell, the head coach, speaking about the recent matches against Canada and New Zealand. He framed those games as important steps on the road to the 2029 World Cup.
The Recent Run
England played three times in September. They beat Australia and New Zealand, but the highlight of the month came in Exeter, where a 26-26 draw with Canada ended the hosts’ 39-match winning streak.
Canada ended that run in September with a 26-26 draw in Exeter.
Mitchell spoke about the importance of those recent Tests. He described them as “humdingers that could have gone either way,” and he stressed that they were “hugely important to our development towards [the 2029 World Cup].”
He added that “playing quality opposition and learning to adapt under pressure will help us raise our level and improve our game.” The draw in Exeter showed exactly what he meant.
The Squad Travels
Thirty-two players are heading to North America. The squad includes a mix of established names and newer faces, with experience spread across the forwards and backs.
In the forwards, Christiana Balogun, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Abi Burton, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cokayne, Maddie Feaunati, Bryony Field, Daisy Hibbert-Jones, Lilli Ives Campion, Sadia Kabeya, Haineala Lutui, Alex Matthews, Maud Muir, Demelza Short and Morwenna Talling are all named.
The backs bring depth too. Holly Aitchison, Jess Breach, Zoe Harrison, Tatyana Heard, Natasha Hunt, Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Lucy Packer, Flo Robinson, Helena Rowland, Emma Sing, Mia Venner and Bo Westcombe-Evans complete the group.
Cokayne, the Sale Sharks vice-captain, leads the squad alongside Megan Jones, the Trailfinders Women captain. The leadership split reflects the balance of experience across the group.
What Mitchell Said
Mitchell spoke about the challenge of playing away from home. He said that “playing away from home requires togetherness,” and he pointed to the chance to “elevate our connections as a squad” during the trip.
He also noted that the squad has “shown a real hunger to compete and improve.” That hunger, he said, is “excited to rip into our preparations and continue our rivalry with Canada in Toronto.”
The coach’s message is clear: this tour matters, and the squad needs to perform under pressure.
The Weight of the Trip
This is not a routine fixture list. Canada ended England’s winning run in September.
Packer’s absence is a blow, but the coach has made clear that the opportunity is there. The 32 players travelling have a chance to step up, and the squad has shown hunger in recent weeks.
The draw with Canada in September was a reminder of how close the competition is. England will need to match that intensity without their most-capped player.
The tour starts in Toronto on October 17. England will need to show they can win without Packer’s presence, against a Canada side that already ended their winning run.
The Road Ahead
The Toronto match on October 17 will be the first test of how England cope without Packer. The Ottawa match on October 24 follows, and then the USA game closes the tour on October 30.
Mitchell has spoken about the importance of the trip. He wants his players to learn from pressure and to build connections as a squad. The tour will show whether those goals hold up against the reality of three matches in three weeks.
The absence of Packer is a blow. But the coach has made clear that the opportunity is there. The 32 players travelling have a chance to step up, and the squad has shown hunger in recent weeks.
The draw with Canada in September was a reminder of how close the competition is. England will need to match that intensity without their most-capped player.
England will need to show the same hunger and competitiveness they have displayed recently. The squad has the depth to succeed, even without Packer’s presence.
Here is the full list of players named for the tour:
- Christiana Balogun
- Sarah Bern
- Hannah Botterman
- Abi Burton
- May Campbell
- Mackenzie Carson
- Kelsey Clifford
- Amy Cokayne
- Maddie Feaunati
- Bryony Field
- Daisy Hibbert-Jones
- Lilli Ives Campion
- Sadia Kabeya
- Haineala Lutui
- Alex Matthews
- Maud Muir
- Demelza Short
-
Morwenna Talling
-
Holly Aitchison
- Jess Breach
- Zoe Harrison
- Tatyana Heard
- Natasha Hunt
- Megan Jones
- Ellie Kildunne
- Claudia Moloney-MacDonald
- Lucy Packer
- Flo Robinson
- Helena Rowland
- Emma Sing
- Mia Venner
- Bo Westcombe-Evans
Source material: “Packer to miss Red Roses' tour of North America,” Sky Sports.
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